<p>Ibuprofen and Naproxen from a drug interaction stand point are dangerous. They interact with a lot of drugs. Pretty much anyone getting into their mid to upper 60s shouldn’t be taking them. Ibuprofen 200mg was introduced because when the FDA reviewed its application, they decided the highest OTC dose would be 200mg. The lowest Rx dose at that time was 300mg. There are higher doses, but they are still Rx only.
OTC drugs by definition only mean they are less dangerous than prescription only drugs. They are okay for self care. A good number of OTC can still harm or maim if taken improperly. The average person does take their OTC medication improperly.
The good news is finally generic Prilosec OTC is being marketed. That’ll save everyone a lot of money.</p>
<p>
Nova, how did you come to this conclusion?</p>
<p>… and can you provide a link to the conclusion that Ibuprofen is dangerous? It can have bad gastro effects, especially when taken in large quantities over a long period of time, but that’s the worst I’ve heard of – short of an allergic reaction.</p>
<p>Another potential side effect is (temporary, completely reversible) platelet damage. This manifests itself through increased bruising (think five or six at a time for no discernible reason). This only happened to me after taking 1800 mg of Advil a day for about three months (doctor’s orders). If you notice bruising, just discontinue the ibuprofen and you’ll be fine. That said, I really doubt you’d get platelet damage if you take one or two pills a month.</p>
<p>Advil is great, until it’s not. I took the prescription strength sporadically for headaches for many years. Until I developed an ulcer (not the bacterially caused, more common kind). Now I can’t take it at all.</p>
<p>Though I haven’t taken ibuprofen in four years, the damage was done and I have recurrences at times. I know many people who have had the same thing happen. Please heed advice to take Advil with food.</p>
<p>
The many studies and surveys on OTC taking behavior all state most do not take the drugs as stated on the label.
Note, I am in pharmacy, and that’s why I am knowledgeable about this.</p>
<p>We know, for sure, NSAIDs cause acute Renal failure. We know, theoretically and practically, that NSAIDs can cause an increase in cardiovascular events. The more COX-2 selective the NSAID is the more likely it will cause an event. That’s why all NSAIDs now have that warning on their packaging.</p>
<p>[Study</a> Warns Ibuprofen May Increase Heart Attack Risk](<a href=“http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/04/ibuprofen_heart_attack.html]Study”>http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/04/ibuprofen_heart_attack.html)
[AM</a> - Pharmacist wants Ibuprofen taken off supermarket shelf](<a href=“AM with Sabra Lane - ABC listen”>AM with Sabra Lane - ABC listen)
[Dr</a>. Rose’s Peripheral Brain–NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS](<a href=“http://faculty.washington.edu/momus/PB/nsaids.htm]Dr”>http://faculty.washington.edu/momus/PB/nsaids.htm)
[Motrin</a> side effects (Ibuprofen) and drug interactions - prescription drugs and medications at RxList](<a href=“http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/ibup_ad.htm]Motrin”>http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/ibup_ad.htm)</p>
<p>The many studies and surveys on OTC taking behavior all state most do not take the drugs as stated on the label.</p>
<p>Who can read it?</p>
<p>I agree with those who say go ahead and take the advil as much as you need (and you won’t need more than the daily max). </p>
<p>Also agree with HGFM that many highschoolers just carry their non-prescription (and sometimes prescription) meds with them in their purse and are just discreet about it. The school has to have that policy because of the laws and for liability purposes.</p>
<p>With drug labels, there are two issues at hand: literacy and people actually reading the label. Surveys have the percent of people reading the label at less than half. Health care information tends to be written at a high school level while the average American reads at about the 6th grade level.</p>
<p>That is all well and good, Nova10, but Keshira isn’t “the average American”. Keshira is someone who is obviously very informed and conscious of her health, as exemplified by the very posting this thread, and her tone within. It may be that the average American just grabs some pills, pops them, and doesn’t think about the consequences, but that is obviously not the case here, so your comments, while interesting in an academic sense, are more or less irrelevant to this discussion.</p>
<p>So with regards to the case at hand: yes, Advil will be safe if you follow the instructions, and yes, you should take it to ease your pain. There is a small chance of side effects, but you will almost certainly be fine, especially if you’re only taking it ~once a month.</p>